Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Updates on avian flu, utility prices, my committee & more

Updates on avian flu, utility prices, my committee & more

Dear Neighbor,

 

I’d like to start this week’s news by reassuring you that I do not anticipate any of the actions taken in the federal government this week to impact you if you receive Medicaid or SNAP benefits. I understand seeing this news was overwhelming to many, and I want you to know my staff and I are here to support you every way we can.

 

Your eligibility for these programs has not changed, and the state is still entitled to distribute resources to all recipients. I will update you on any further developments.

 

I also have news to share about your utility bills.

 

On Tuesday, the Commonwealth reached an agreement with our regional electricity transmission organization (PJM Interconnection) to avoid huge prices increases for Pennsylvanians. Gov. Shapiro had filed a lawsuit and official complaint against PJM in December to prevent the historic price hikes it attempted to impose.

 

You may click here to learn more via the governor’s announcement.

 

Sincerely,

 

PA Representative David Delloso's signature image

Pennsylvania State Rep. David M. Delloso

 

 

Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations Committee News

This week I led the first hearing for the new House standing committee on which I serve as chairman, the Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations Committee.

 

As I’ve shared with you before, I’m eager to use this position to make the Commonwealth work better for you by promoting legislation that cuts red tape, makes processes more efficient, and helps the different arms of state government work better together.

 

Some of the bills we discussed this week include:

  • H.B. 276: This is a bill of mine I’ve reintroduced from the previous session that would crack down on the practice of employee misclassification, a fraudulent business practice that denies workers the benefits they’re owed.
  • H.B. 41 (Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre): Would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to establish separate playoff systems and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools.
  • H.B. 55 (Rep. Marla Brown, R-Centre & Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny): Would extend state & local fee exemptions for veteran-owned and reservist-owned small businesses to also include women-owned, service-disabled veteran owned, minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses, as well as “microenterprises.”
  • H.B.119 (Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon): Would end observation of Daylight Savings Time in PA; & H.B.153 (Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-Northampton): Would institute Daylight Savings Time year-round permanently in PA.
  • H.B.169 (Rep. Rob Merski, D-Erie): Would give local & regional police departments the ability to save money by purchasing used state police vehicles before they go to auction.
  • H.B. 279 (Rep. Seth Grove, R-York): Would add a state government contract oversight measure by requiring state agencies to provide the PA Treasury with a copy and summary of any contract involving $10,000 or more, and to attest its compliance.
 

 

Avian Flu in PA: What you need to know

This year’s first positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry was confirmed Monday on a commercial poultry farm in Lehigh County. There have been no additional cases reported since.

 

The state Department of Agriculture began its coordinated and aggressive response plan within hours. Here are the crucial takeaways:

 

? There is currently no health risk to the human public. Poultry products and eggs are still safe to eat when cooked properly. No infections in cows or humans have been detected in PA.

 

? A task force of state & federal workers is on the farm carrying out a comprehensive response plan to keep the virus from spreading. The farm is quarantined within a 10-kilometer radius.

? PA already has vigilant biosecurity measures in place, aggressively testing dairy cattle milk and poultry in farms & live bird markets and responding to positive tests with strict quarantines.

 

This detection is the first confirmed in commercial poultry in PA since February 2024. Still, this case and infections in neighboring states show that the threat of the highly infectious (and typically fatal for poultry) HPAI virus is now heightened. Anyone who encounters a sick or dead wild bird is asked to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD.

 

While humans in other states who work closely with infected poultry or cattle have tested positive for the virus, it has a very low risk to human health. The FDA says there is low risk of infection to house pets; you may view their advice here.

 

I will continue to update you on any developments.

 

Upcoming Events

Save the date for the events my office has planned for the beginning of 2025:

Please note that you must reserve a time slot prior to the Expungement Clinic. Contact my office at (610) 534-1002 or RepDelloso@pahouse.net.

 

Please keep in mind that you only include HALF of your Social Security income when determining your eligibility for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

 

The deadline to apply for a rebate on what you paid in 2024 is June 30, 2025.

 

The income guidelines are:

 
 

FYI

The 2025 trout season will open officially on Saturday, April 5. There will be a preview Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on Sat., March 29. Click here for the entire 2025 schedule.

 

For Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary youth fishing license.  Both are available online, through the Delaware County Treasurer’s office, or at a retail license issuing agent.

 

Veterans: How to apply for a vehicle registration fee waiver

 

A new state program allows Severely Disabled Veterans to forgo the fees for titling or registering one vehicle. To qualify, a veteran must have a 100% service-connected disability that has been certified by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator. These disabilities include:

  • Lost a limb or eye or became partially paralyzed while serving;
  • Was captured by the enemy in any armed conflict for which the U.S. Dept. of Defense authorizes a campaign medal, or;
  • Has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor or the Purple Heart.

To apply, you must fill out form MV-371DV - Supplemental Application for Free or Reduced Registration Rates for Vets. Please visit this post on my website to download the form and for detailed instructions on how to fill it out based on your reason for applying.

 

Tips for preventing fraud & identity theft

 

The Delaware County Daily Times reported this week that our region has experienced a spike in fraud and identity theft over the past month, particularly among senior citizens. Following are some tips to practice & share to prevent your information from being compromised. I encourage you to come to my Shred Event on March 1 to take one of the best precautions possible!

  • Shred documents containing sensitive information, like Social Security numbers and bank statements.
  • Consider setting up a fraud alert with a major credit bureau like Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.
  • Do not believe any notice that you've won a lottery or contest prize that requires you to prepay taxes, processing charges, shipping fees or other costs – even if it appears to come from an organization you recognize, like Publisher’s Clearing House.
  • If a friend or relative calls and hysterically asks you to send them money to pay bail or a medical bill, hang up and call them back yourself. Scammers are now using technology that allows them to alter their voice to match someone you know, using social media profiles for “research.”
  • Remember that your bank will never ask you to send account details via text message.
  • Be wary of anyone who calls, emails, or texts you claiming to be a representative of a state agency that administers Veterans Benefits, Medicare, Social Security, etc. and claims that you owe the agency money. Look up the agency’s contact information on your own – don’t trust any emails or phone numbers the “agent” provides themselves – and contact them for verification.
 
 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

111 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-6437

District Office

605 E. Chester Pike
Ridley Park, PA 19078
(610) 534-1002